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alexandralDon't count me disappointed, my family and I enjoyed our family outing to watch "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Scull" yesterday. My daughter was a particular fan and she is already getting excited about the other 3 Indianas. My plan to distract her from watching "Bratz movies" and similar is working very well so far.
But to be honest, I have seen it all before. Like some people who get stuck wearing the fashion trend of their youth, it seems that Steven Spielberg got stuck somewhere in 80s with his film-making. The storyline is straight out of his past sci-fi films, the jokes have seen their better days and even the special effects are cheesy and dated. I would expect Steven to have enough money for something better than a crystal scull stuffed with foil.
On the plus side, it really seems that the cold war between USA and Russia is over. Even though stereotypes of stupid Russian baddies destined for certain death are still abound, Russian language isn't tortured and murdered anymore. Cate Blanchett spoke a very decent Russian (and Ukrainian, thank you to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
spankmayer for pointing this out!). And she was a very good baddie indeed, making it into my "Top ten of evil fictional characters". I have an irresistible urge to imitate the way her character Irina Spalko spoke (and my daughter says I already speak like Irina) and wear similar clothes of grey utilitarian goodness. I am particular in love with the belt and the gloves:
What else? Harrison Ford , like good wine, grows old nicely and gets better with age, weary and sarcastic.
On the minus side, I wasn't impressed by Karen Allen's and Shia LaBeouf's characters. I think movie could have benefited from omitting of their storyline.
To conclude: this was a good fun to go with a family but not something I would have enjoyed watching by myself.
But to be honest, I have seen it all before. Like some people who get stuck wearing the fashion trend of their youth, it seems that Steven Spielberg got stuck somewhere in 80s with his film-making. The storyline is straight out of his past sci-fi films, the jokes have seen their better days and even the special effects are cheesy and dated. I would expect Steven to have enough money for something better than a crystal scull stuffed with foil.
On the plus side, it really seems that the cold war between USA and Russia is over. Even though stereotypes of stupid Russian baddies destined for certain death are still abound, Russian language isn't tortured and murdered anymore. Cate Blanchett spoke a very decent Russian (and Ukrainian, thank you to
spankmayer for pointing this out!). And she was a very good baddie indeed, making it into my "Top ten of evil fictional characters". I have an irresistible urge to imitate the way her character Irina Spalko spoke (and my daughter says I already speak like Irina) and wear similar clothes of grey utilitarian goodness. I am particular in love with the belt and the gloves:What else? Harrison Ford , like good wine, grows old nicely and gets better with age, weary and sarcastic.
On the minus side, I wasn't impressed by Karen Allen's and Shia LaBeouf's characters. I think movie could have benefited from omitting of their storyline.
To conclude: this was a good fun to go with a family but not something I would have enjoyed watching by myself.
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Date: 2008-05-27 11:13 am (UTC)Russian soldiers speaks Russian very good, since the actors are Russian)
I did not like the movie too and completely agree with you review, it is really out-of-date
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Date: 2008-05-27 11:28 am (UTC)Russian soldiers speaks Russian very good, since the actors are Russian)
Hmm, I dunno - she did speak what seemed to be Russian to the soldiers. I thought that in the Russian military unit she spoke Russian to them , right?
But YAY! You reminded me that she is supposed to be Ukranian. In this case, the way she spoke Russian (with a slight accent) is just perfect.
And I appreciated that the soldiers were Russian actors.
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Date: 2008-05-27 11:33 am (UTC)of cause, I cannot be sure for all her text, because I saw the movie dubbed, but there are definitely some phrases she speaks Ukrainian (very funny, by the way)
great job of Kate anyway, her part was nice to look at
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Date: 2008-05-27 11:37 am (UTC)I am very fond of "Daywatch". :D
of cause, I cannot be sure for all her text, because I saw the movie dubbed, but there are definitely some phrases she speaks Ukrainian (very funny, by the way)
Oh, I see! I think you are right , and thank you for the info! She definitely spoke Russian to the soldiers but some phrases (when swearing and such) she spoke very quickly and I didn't catch the meaning. That must have been Ukrainian. This is so cool!
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Date: 2008-05-27 11:43 am (UTC)I like the idea of mixing languages, it is funny and original, but I'm afraid that nobody except Russians and Ukrainians in the world are able to value it)
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Date: 2008-05-27 05:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 11:21 am (UTC)But gosh, Cate Blanchett is gorgeous. That woman looks good in everything.
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Date: 2008-05-27 11:32 am (UTC)But gosh, Cate Blanchett is gorgeous. That woman looks good in everything.
** Nods **. I predict a new trend on Russian military uniform coming. :D
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Date: 2008-05-27 11:34 am (UTC)And that Louise Brooks hairstyle ain't bad either...
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Date: 2008-05-27 11:40 am (UTC)True! I am resisting the urge to cut my hair like that too. But I don't have her cheek-bones.
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Date: 2008-05-27 11:36 am (UTC)In a recent interview, Spielberg said that it was deliberately made, so that there was not such a big break in cinematography/style of directing/SFX between the Indy movies of 20 years ago and this one. They even used equipment from 20 years ago (the celluoid etc.) so that it had the look and feel.
I saw it and I liked it, if you ignore Harrison being older, all 4 could have been made in one go in the 1980's.
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Date: 2008-05-27 11:47 am (UTC)Thank you very much for the info. Hmm, however I think that this wasn't Steven's winning move. I completely disagree with his opinion that there weren't a big break in the special since 80s. The use of CGI revolutionised the special effets, but there have been other new techniques too.
The problem is, I think, that the special effects in "Crystal Scull" look OLD but not old enough to have a feel of retro, like for example, in "Doctor Who". Also there is a big difference in expectations for cinema and TV production.
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Date: 2008-05-27 02:40 pm (UTC)I liked Shia -- just can't help myself. But I have to admit that Karen Allen was not quite what I expected. She had brief moments of spunky heroism, but mostly all she did was look moony and lovestruck.
The special effects were disappointing. BUT I still had lots of fun as I was watching!
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Date: 2008-05-27 05:14 pm (UTC)She was also competent enough to follow Indiana Jones everywhere and if not for the alien powers (which is a bit of cheating, really :D) she would have triumphed. :D
I liked Shia -- just can't help myself. But I have to admit that Karen Allen was not quite what I expected. She had brief moments of spunky heroism, but mostly all she did was look moony and lovestruck.
I think I could have liked Shia's character more if he wasn't ** cough , cough ** who he was. If he was just one of the Indiana's followers, just a young guy, a substitute for a son. Karen Allen looked out of place in the film, as if she forgotten how to act.
I have enjoyed the film too! But not to the "love" degree.
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Date: 2008-05-27 05:15 pm (UTC)Heeeeeeeee!
*hugs*
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Date: 2008-05-27 05:20 pm (UTC)You were absolutely right about the film! (and Mr. Alexander thought the same). I have enjoyed the film, however, but more in a way of "Opening the door to Indiana Jones appreciation to my daughter". And we had a nice meal afterwards.
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Date: 2008-05-27 05:22 pm (UTC)Glad you had a lovely family outing, though.
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Date: 2008-05-27 05:28 pm (UTC)It made Sasha SCARED! (But not scared enough :D).
Yeah, if I had a child I think it'd be a great movie--thrilling without being too graphic. But as someone who was a child for the first three..
I wish I was a child I watched it for the first time. It was one of the strictly forbidden BAD FOR YOU films during the old days. But when I first watched "Indiana Jones 1" at the age of 20+ I was still impressed.
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Date: 2008-05-27 11:03 pm (UTC)But I really enjoyed his character although I agree with you about Karen Allen being not much use at all.
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Date: 2008-05-28 11:50 am (UTC)Huh, and him pulling Indiana out of the sand with a snake? I wish RSPC upon them! Poor snake. :D
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Date: 2008-05-28 03:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-28 11:47 am (UTC)If you don't mind asking (feel free not to answer!) - Why?
Cate Blanchett! IS AWESOME. Thant is all.
Oh, BTW - how are you liking "Last Scandal"?
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Date: 2008-05-29 02:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-29 08:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-29 08:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-29 09:24 am (UTC)Oh, I didn't know! ** is happy ** I love the books too.
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Date: 2008-05-29 09:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-29 06:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-29 04:14 am (UTC)Oh I must confess I have not gotten past the first episode yet because I am in between watching Mawang, One Pound Gospel, and Rurouni Kenshin (the anime) ^o^ So much to watch, so little time.
Btw, I recently bought a Park Shin Yang movie, White Valentine. I have yet to watch it, but it seemed to be one of his earlier movies because he still looked quite young there :) The movie also looks very beautiful, albeit a somewhat slow pace.
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Date: 2008-05-29 08:50 am (UTC)WOW! This is a long list. I am thinking about watching "Rurouni Kenshin" too, Any good?
Btw, I recently bought a Park Shin Yang movie, White Valentine. I have yet to watch it, but it seemed to be one of his earlier movies because he still looked quite young there :) The movie also looks very beautiful, albeit a somewhat slow pace.
Any screencaps? ** nudge, nudge **
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Date: 2008-05-29 08:58 am (UTC)I was just thinking to myself, "Oh I must make screencaps because
I've not gotten far with Rurouni Kenshin, but it seems to be quite interesting. It involves samurais, which I am generally fond of :)
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Date: 2008-05-29 09:23 am (UTC)He-he! Much appreciated! Good caps and pictures of Park Shin Yang are hard to come by. :D
I like the idea of samurai (as in fighting and honour) but NOT their haircuts.
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Date: 2008-05-29 09:27 am (UTC)Oh, the haircut of Rurouni in the anime is not the usual "samurai" haircut. I think you will like this hairstyle much better :)
Have you watched Kimura's Bushi no Ichibun? It defines love and honour for me, in one of the sweetest and moving level.
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Date: 2008-05-29 06:43 pm (UTC)I haven't had a chance yet. I MUST!
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Date: 2008-05-30 01:12 pm (UTC)Excellent job :D
also, other Indianas are very good - my favourite one is The Last Crusade, exciting and funny, I watched it so many times I know it by heart, and my mother loves it, too! But the previous ones might be a little too 'impressive' for Sasha, I guess...one of them still scares me. Maybe it's just me!
I don't know whether I'm watching this or not. I'm afraid I can be disappointed, even though I'm curious.
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Date: 2008-05-30 11:16 pm (UTC)Sasha is not really that easily scareble, but she is emotional. For me "Crystal Scull" had some scary scenes, but this didn't bother her. But we had a big ado with "Happy feet".
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Date: 2008-05-31 10:44 am (UTC)I remember that! I don't know, some Temple Of Doom scenes are a bit...yucky, to me. But I was a easy-to-frighten kid, and I still am ;)
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Date: 2008-06-01 10:14 pm (UTC)